Garment workers demand pay hike

SEMARANG (JP): About 1,000 garment workers from Ungaran regency marched to the Central Java provincial legislative council on Wednesday, only to hear from the legislators they could not offer them much help.

"Not only workers, but the companies where you are working are facing difficulties during this economic crisis," provincial speaker Ircham Abdurrochim told the surprised protesters.

Ircham said he fully agreed to their demand for a 100 percent pay hike and freedom to set up their own labor union.

"It is better to negotiate directly with your respective company management. What is important is that we also have to take into account the companies' financial capabilities," said the speaker. (nur)